Sport

Harry AA has no cause for disappointment

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey insisted there was no reason for disappointment despite finishing sixth in the men’s 100m at the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix on Sunday.

The 25-year-old from Sutton & District AC found himself up against a stellar cast list not the first time this summer as he lined up at the prestigious IAAF Diamond League meet at Birmingham’s Alexander stadium.

However he was unable to trouble the eventual winner Kemar Bailey-Cole of Jamaica, clocking a time of 10.34 seconds for sixth-place.

Chijindu Ujah was the highest-placed Brit in fourth, with former European 100m champion Christophe Lemaitre of France sandwiched in between the two.

But Aikines-Aryeetey, who came into the meet off the back of medal performances at both the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, admitted he was not going to be too downbeat with his performances.

“I feel good, happy, moving forward in the way that I would like, just enjoying what has gone on recently but I’m also thankful,” he said.

“I’m just trying to get a few things right in my racing, I’m a little bit tired from all the racing and the last few champs but I’m still trying to be competitive.

“I finished sixth, which is not the best but I was a little bit closer to Christophe Lemaitre (fifth), and it’s just one of those things. There are still a lot of positives to take away from that race.”

Aikines-Aryeetey has very quickly expanded his medal collection in recent weeks with Commonwealth 4x100m relay silver in Glasgow before 100m bronze and 4x100m relay gold at the European Championships in Zurich.

However while the season may be entering its closing stages, the sprinter was not preparing to rest on his laurels, targeting further improvements next year.

“When you walk away with a medal from the Commonwealth Games and Europeans, it’s a lovely feeling,” he added.

“But it’s about using that and moving forward. So I’m definitely excited for what is to come.”

Sainsbury’s is proud to support British Athletics through the Summer Series events and is committed to helping young people lead healthier, more active lifestyles. For more information visit sainsburys.co.uk/legacy.